Travancore Devaswom Board revises controversial appointments following Kerala Kaumudi report

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Travancore Devaswom Board has revised the appointment list of administrative officers in major temples by removing officials facing allegations. The Board has also made vigilance clearance mandatory for transfers and appointments in major temples. The decision comes after controversy over the appointment of an officer questioned by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in the Sabarimala gold theft case and an employee accused of misappropriating money. The controversial appointments were first reported by Kerala Kaumudi.

Following the reports, Devaswom Minister K. Muraleedharan and Board President K. Jayakumar intervened. A special meeting of the Devaswom Board was held yesterday, where the decision was taken. Out of the list of 75 officials, appointments of 20 people had come under criticism. The Board removed them from the appointment list and issued a new order on Tuesday night. The officials facing allegations were transferred to other posts.

Valliyankavu Administrative Officer Shyam was transferred as Assistant Audit Officer in Kottarakkara. Vishnu, who was serving as Vigilance Officer, was appointed as Assistant Commissioner in Mundakkayam. Sabarimala Administrative Officer Sreeshankar was transferred to the Devaswom Board headquarters. Administrative officers and assistant commissioners in Vaikom, Thiruvallam, Kottarakkara, and Ulloor were also transferred.

The earlier appointment list was prepared by violating the rules and guidelines approved by the High Court, including seniority norms, according to reports.

Action after minister's letter
After the appointments became controversial, Minister K. Muraleedharan wrote to the Devaswom Board President expressing his dissatisfaction. He demanded a review of the appointments and asked that officials questioned in the Sabarimala gold theft case be removed. Board President K. Jayakumar also took a strict stand that transfer appointments should be made only by following proper guidelines. The Congress organisation within the Board had also protested against the appointments.

Dispute over appointment list
Earlier, during a Board meeting, the Devaswom President and one member had opposed the transfer appointment list prepared by violating norms. However, another member insisted that the list should be released. The list was issued despite opposition from the President. The Devaswom Employees Front had also alleged that a CPM member had interfered widely in the transfer process.

“Officials facing vigilance investigations, disciplinary action, and serious allegations should not have been included. I had suggested that the appointments should be reviewed.”
-K. Muraleedharan
Devaswom Minister

“All major complaints have been resolved. The Board has accepted the minister’s suggestion to review the appointments.”
-K. Jayakumar
Travancore Devaswom Board President